Dice game having truly random number generation

ABSTRACT

A pair of electronic oscillator/feedback shift register/decoding circuitry combinations are used for a game of dice. Each of these combinations is arranged to randomly generate numbers in six states (1-6) and to independently display the numbers so generated by each combination upon actuation by the player, as by pressing a button. The states prevailing in the separate feedback shift registers upon cessation of pulse input are decoded and displayed to represent the results of a dice throw by the player.

Z31 A ig United States Patent [72] Inventors George .lemakoffLoudonville;

Michael J. Moure, Schenectady; Donald B. Sorensen, Scotia, all oi, N.Y.

Dec. 5, 1969 July 13, 1971 General Electric Company [2| 1 Appl. No. [22]Filed [45] Patented [5A] DICE GAME HAVING TRULY RANDOM NUMBER GENERATION4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl. 273/138 A [51 Int. Cl A63f 5/04,

A63b 71/06 [50] Field ofSearch 273/138 A [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS $5,439,281 4/1969 McGuire et al 273/138 A X FOR DIE X3.4593127 8/ l 969 Rhodes OTHER REFERENCES Spots Before Your Eyes" inPOPULAR ELECTRONICS, September l967, pages 29 34. 273-138 A UX PrimaryExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Amold W. KramerAttorneys-Richard R. Brainard, Paul A. Frank, Charles T. Watts, Leo l.MaLossi, Frank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B. Waddell and Joseph B. FormanABSTRACT: A pair of electronic oscillator/feedback shiftregister/decoding circuitry combinations are used for a game of dice.Each of these combinations is arranged to randomly generate numbers insix states (1-6) and to independently display the numbers so generatedby each combination upon actuation by the player, as by pressing abutton. The states prevailing in the separate feedback shift registersupon cessation of pulse input are decoded and displayed to represent theresults of a dice throw by the player.

FOR DIE Y PATENTEU JUU3|97I 3 SHEET 1 BF 2 43 3 9 38 44 42 O C C I O C1/ n i t w :L

SWITCH-CONTROLLED 3/ 32 SWITCH-CONTROLLED REGENERATIVE K REGENERATIVEOSCILLATOR OSCILLATOR FEEDBACK FEEDBACK SHIFT 33 34 SH'FT REGISTER RREGISTER DECODING DECODING DRIvERs 36 37 DRIVERS DIE x DIE Y 6/ r 1% z HM H M /N VE N TORSJ GEORGE JERMKOFE MICHAEL J. MOORE, DONALD B. SORENSENTHE IR A T TORNE Y PATENTEU Jun 3 IQTI SHED 2 UF 2 x MB 06k IV VE NT0195 GEORGE JERNA/(OFE MICHAEL J. MOORE, 00 ALD B. 50/? /vs/v THE ll? AT TORNE Y DICE GAME HAVING TRULY RANDOM NUMBER GENERATION BACKGROUND OFTHE lNVENTlON The generation of numbers with varying degrees ofrandomness has been accomplished in the prior art with mechanicaldevices, electromechanical devices and by the use of elec tronic meansfor generating random signals. Thus, for example, US. Pat. No.2,012,544-ONeil, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,357,703Hurlcy, are examples ofelectromechanical apparatus for random generation for games of chanceand U8. Pat. No. 3,439,281-McGuire et al., describes electronic meansfor generating random signals as part of a chance amusement device. Thelatter patent obviates difficulties encountered with mechanical andelectromechanical systems, which require periodic servicing, are subjectto wear by friction between moving elements and/or operate at relativelyhigh voltages and currents. The McGuire et al. patent is, however, avery complicated electronic arrangement for accom plishing random numbergeneration.

An electronic dice game purported to be truly random and to operate withtrue dice odds is disclosed in the article Spots Before Your Eyes inPopular Electronics (Sept. 1967, pages 29-34). A single 3kHz. oscillatoris employed to drive a first counter, which has a dual output (a) anoutput to a decoder/driver that in turn produces die combinations onfirst display means and (b) a divide-by-six output to a second counterthat in turn producesdie combinations on second dis play means. Aspecial pulse circuit is provided so that the counters are automaticallyreset the instant the operating pushbutton is depressed.

Two features of the Popular Electronics device prevent 'truly randomoperation with true dice odds; namely, the

slave" relationship between the first counter and the second counter andthe automatic reset to a preset starting state condition. With respectto the slave relationship in this device a run through six states on thefirst counter automatically moves the second counter through a singlestate, because of this fixed relationship between the operation of thetwo counters. With respect to the reset feature, this device upon beingactivated always starts from reset fixed states. These characteristics,particularly in view of the relatively low (500 Hz.) frequency ofoperation for the slave" die, offer the opportunity for influence of thedice odds by a practiced operator.

The object of the instant invention is to provide a reliable, completelyrandom electronic device for independently generating die combinationson a simulated pair of dice, which device is greatly simplified indesign.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Two separate electronic regenerativeoscillator/counter/decoding and indicia sequences are operable by asingle actuating mechanism to simulate conventional dice play or, ifdesired, are actuable by separate actuating mechanisms for a variationof the conventional dice game. The oscillators operate with slightlydifferent, but very high, frequencies.

BRlEF DESCRlPTlON OF THE DRAWING The exact nature of this invention aswell as the objects and advantages thereof will be readily apparent fromconsideration of the following specification relating to the annexeddrawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall system of randomgeneration and display;

P16. 2 is a logic diagram of the system shown in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a view (partially cut away) showing the arrangement of lampsand their wiring for each die face.

DESCRlPTlON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As is shown in FIG. 1 highfrequency electronic oscillators 31 and 32 (arranged to be actuatedeither independently or simultaneously) are electrically connected tofeed fixedfrequency pulses generated thereby to feedback shift registers33 and 34, respectively. These feedback shift registers are cycledthrough six states in a fixed sequence by these pulses inputs completelyindependently of each other. As each of the six states in the feedbackshift registers 33 and 34 is attained each succeeding state is detectedand decoded by the decoding drivers 36 and 37, respectively.

Decoding drivers 36, 37 are connected to a common power source and to acommon ground and depending on the states prevailing in their respectivefeedback shift registers, each decoder driver permits 1, 2, 3,4,5 or 6lamps of dies X and Y,

respectively, to receive electrical power to light and thereby indicatethe particular die combinations represented by the states prevailing atthat instant in registers 33, 34.

The lamps are arranged in each set (FIG. 3) so that when any givencombination is lit it appears as such a combination would appear on oneface ofa conventional die e.g. a showing of5" would light lamps H, P, K,M and L. Of course, as long as pulses are fed from the oscillators 31,32 to the feedback shift registers 33, 34 the cycling of register statesand lit lamp combinations proceeds much more rapidly than the eye candiscretely detect. The frequency of each oscillator is at least 100,000cycles per second. Preferably 1 MHz. regeneration oscillators are usedfor oscillators 31, 32. The 1 MHz. designation is nominal, because theseoscillators do not (and must not) in fact issue pulses at exactly thesame frequency due to component tolerances. Even though actuated at thesame instant and nominally rated at the same frequency oscillators 31,32 run completely independent of each other, each cycling the registerto which it is connected through the six states approximately 165,000times per second.

When the operator releases pushbutton 38 to open switch 39, whichcontrols both oscillators 31, 32, the oscillators stop and each registerstops counting. The state reflected in each register in response toentry of the last pulse into each respective register will be indicatedby lighting of the proper lights, which will have been provided withpower from the common power source 40 (e.g. battery or +5v DC source) bythe voltage output of decoder drivers 36, 37. These lights reflectingdice combinations remain lit until the states of both registers arechanged by starting up the oscillators once more.

Alternatively buttons 41, 42 actuating the switches 43, 44 (andoscillators 31, 32), respectively, may be separately depressed. In sucha situation a single actuated oscillator/decoder driver/indicatorcombination may, for example, be cycled through the fixed sequence ofstates in a game in which the player seeks to match the die combinationdisplayed on the second die in the nonactuated oscillator/decoderdriver/indicator combination.

As will be developed in connection with the logic diagram of the systemshown in FIG. 2 the sequence of count of die states by each register is1-3-5-4-6-2.

FIG. 2 comprises two regenerative oscillators 31, 32 (each consisting ofthree inverters, e.g. single input NAND gates of the 836[Motorola] type,a 0.001 microfarad capacitor and the feedback loop); feedback shiftregisters 33, 34 (each consisting of three D-type 7474 [TexasInstruments] flip-flops with terminals connected as shown); decoderdrivers 36, 37 (e.g. each consisting of five 0844 [Motorola] outputdrivers and two 0836 [Motorola] output drivers connected to theregisters as shown and driving the small lamps shown in FIG. 3); bothseparate and common switch means, and a separate inverter connected inseries between the switch means and each regenerative oscillator. Theflip-flops are set and reset by 0" to 0" and 1 to 0" bileveltransitions, respectively and all output drivers are inverters providinga 0" output only when presented with a l input (and visa versa). In thedevice illustrated the 0" state is slightly positive as compared to 0volts and the 1 state is equal to +5 volts.

To avoid duplication, operation of the device will be described for dieX only, the operation of die Y being identical therewith and identicalnumbers being used for identical parts.

Thus, by way of illustration pulses leave oscillator 31 along line 46enter register 33 and are simultaneously applied to ter minal 3 offlip-flop a, terminal 3 of flip-flop b and terminal 11 of flip-flop c asshown. Assuming a state with each of flipflops a, b and c of register 33in the reset condition terminal 8 of flip-flop c, terminals 2 and 6 offlip-flop a and terminal 6 of flip-flop b are all in the l state. Thefirst pulse reaching flipflop a will set flip-flop a by simultaneouslychanging the state of terminal 5 thereof from 0 to l and also changingthe state of terminal 6 thereof from 1 to 0."

In this condition the electrical signal input to driver 47 is l and theoutput from driver 47 is 0 being, therefore, at about 0 volts. In thiscondition the +5 volts of the common power source will light lamp L(note FIG. 3) of die X. The input to driver 48 is 0" and the outputtherefrom is l."

lf lamps K and M of die X are to be lit there must be a 0" output for atleast one of the drivers 48, 49. Because terminal 5 (flip-flop b) is inthe reset state, the input to driver 49 is 0" and the output is 1"(+5v).Under these conditions although lamps K and M are connected to thecommon power source (+5v), there is no difference in potential acrossthese lamps and lamps K and M of die X do not light.

The input to driver 51 is 0"; the output is 1, therefore lamps H and Pare not lit. Because of the 0" state of terminal 5 of flip-flop b andthe 1" state of terminal 8 of flip-flop c, only driver 53 of'the drivers52, 53 can provide a 1" state input for driver 54. Therefore, with a 0"input to driver 54 prevailing, the output therefrom will be l wherebylamps .l and N are unlit. Thus, it may be seen that for the l-0-0 statefor flip-flops 0, b and c, respectively, the die reflecting this statewill display a die combination of one.

The second pulse passing along line 46 does not alter the set conditionof flip-flop a (terminal 5 in the l state), but places flip-flop b inthe set condition, because terminal 5 thereof will now be at "l."Flip-flop c is not affected and remains reset. Thus, register 33 is inthe l-l-0 state. An analysis of driver inputs and outputs in the mannerdescribed above as set forth in the following table will show that lampsL, K and M are lit to produce a die combination of three:

TABLE I Input Output state state Lamp lit L. }K and M.

The next pulse reaching register 33 will set flipflop c (terminal 9 willbe placed in the l state and terminal 8 will be in the 0" state) and thestate of register 33 will become l-l-l. At the same time, therefore, theinput to flip-flop a becomes reset to 0 with the outputs from terminals5 and 6 thereof remaining at l and 0, "respectively. in state l-l-l theoutputs from register 33 to decoder driver 36 cause the lighting oflamps L, K, M, H and P with the resulting die combination of five fordie X as shown in the following table:

TABLE II Input Output sta state Lamp lit TABLE III Input Output statestate Lamp 111;

K and M.

H and P.

The subsequently occurring states for register 33 of 0-0-l and 00-0 willproduce combinations for die X of six and two,

respectively. Thereafter, the state of register 33 reverts to statel-0-0 and the sequence is repeated. The rate at which the sequence isrepeated is, of course, extremely rapid being at least 166,000times/sec. for each oscillator.

Die Y will have its lamps H, K. L, M, N and P lit to present the samenumerical sequence (I-3-5-4-6-2) but at a different rate of change,because regenerative oscillators 31, 32 operate at different speeds. Thedifference in speed is not critical, but for practical reasons it isadvantageous to select oscillators that have the same nominal rating andrely upon the difference in their actual speed of operation broughtabout by the slight differences in the components of the oscillatorswithin the allowable manufacturing tolerances.

Capacitors 56 and 57 (reg. about ufd. and 0.0] ufd, respectively)prevent the entry of spurious signals to interfere with operation of thedevice and the inventers 58, 59 present the switch outputs to theirrespective oscillators in logic form. Faces 61, 62 are transparentcolored plastic.

There is no need for resetting registers 33, 34, because regardless ofthe states of these registers existing after a previous operation of thedevice there is absolutely no dependence of either register on theother. For the next play the counting" proceeds from the statesprevailing in the registers. This feature, of course, simplifies thecircuitry, while contributing still further to the randomness of thedice game of this invention.

Modification may be made in the specific arrangement shown e.g.employing a ring counter or a binary counter without the necessity ofproviding a reset feature. The substitution of a different counterwould, however, require different decoder-driver arrangements.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe UnitedStates is:

l. A simulated dice game for producing truly random die combinations oneach die and reflecting true dice odds for each play of the dicecomprising in combination:

a. a first oscillator having a frequency of electric pulse generation inexcess of about 100,000 cycles per second,

b. a second oscillator having a frequency of electric pulse generationin excess of about 100,000 cycles per second, pulse generation in saidfirst oscillator being independent of and at a different rate than pulsegeneration in said second oscillator,

. means electrically connected to said first and second oscillator foractuation thereof, said means for actuation being adapted for selectivemanual activation and deactivation,

. first means electrically connected to receive the pulse output fromsaid first oscillator for generating changes in bilevel states inresponse to pulse input thereto, the changing states proceeding in afixed repetitive sequence of six distinct states,

. second means electrically connected to receive the pulse h. firstdisplay means electrically connected to said first decoding means, saidfirst display means being driven by said first decoding means inresponse to the decoding function conducted thereby to display at anyinstant the particular state prevailing in said first generating means,and

. second display means electrically connected to said second decodingmeans, said seconddisplay means being driven by said second decodingmeans in response to the decoding function conducted thereby to displayat any instant the particular state prevailing in said second generatingmeans.

2. The simulated dice game as recited in claim 1 wherein the first andsecond oscillators are regenerative oscillators that operate atfrequencies of about one million cycles per second.

3. The simulated dice game as recited in claim 2 wherein each means forchanging bilevel state is a feedback shift register and each decodingmeans comprises seven output drivers arranged to decode the six statesof the register connected thereto into four display conditions takensingly or in combination to cause the display means connected thereto tosequentially reflect the prevailing states in said register, eachdisplay means comprises seven low voltage lamps, the arrangement of saidoutput drivers being as follows:

a. the first, second, fourth and fifth drivers are individuallyelectrically connected to four separate output terminals of saidregister,

b. the third and sixth drivers are electrically connectedin common to afifth output terminal ofsaid register,

c. the output of said first driver is electrically connected to a firstlamp,

d the outputs of said second and third drivers are electricallyconnected in common to second and third lamps arranged in parallel,

e. the output of said fourth driver is electrically connected to afourth and fifth lamp arranged in parallel and f. the fifth, sixth andseventh drivers are interconnected with the outputs of said fifth andsixth drivers being applied in common to said seventh driver, the outputof said seventh driver being electrically connected to the sixth andseventh lamps arranged in parallel.

4. The simulated dice game as recited in claim 1 wherein the means foractuation of the oscillators comprises switches for separately actuatingeither oscillator and a switch for simultaneously actuating bothoscillators.

1. A simulated dice game for producing truly random die combinations oneach die and reflecting true dice odds for each play of the dicecomprising in combination: a. a first oscillator having a frequency ofelectric pulse generation in excess of about 100,000 cycles per second,b. a second oscillator having a frequency of electric pulse generationin excess of about 100,000 cycles per second, pulse generation in saidfirst oscillator being independent of and at a different rate than pulsegeneration in said second oscillator, c. means electrically connected tosaid first and second oscillator for actuation thereof, said means foractuation being adapted for selective manual activation anddeactivation, d. first means electrically connected to receive the pulseoutput from said first oscillator for generating changes in bilevelstates in response to pulse input thereto, the changing statesproceeding in a fixed repetitive sequence of six distinct states, e.second means electrically connected to receive the pulse output fromsaid second oscillator for generating changes in bilevel states inresponse to pulse input thereto, the changing states proceeding in afixed repetitive sequence of six distinct states, f. first decodingmeans electrically connected to said first generating means for decodingbilevel output signals received therefrom to reflect the prevailingstate therein, g. second decoding means electrically connected to saidsecond generating means for decoding bilevel output signals receivedtherefrom to reflect the prevailing state therein, h. first displaymeans electrically connected to said first decoding means, said firstdisplay means being driven by said first decoding means in response tothe decoding function conducted thereby to display at any instant theparticular state prevailing in said first generating means, and i.second display means electrically connected to said second decodingmeans, said second display means being driven by said second decodingmeans in response to the decoding function conducted thereby to displayat any instant the particular state prevailing in said second generatingmeans.
 2. The simulated dice game as recited in claim 1 wherein thefirst and second oscillators are regenerative oscillators that operateat frequencies of about one million cycles per second.
 3. The simulateddice game as recited in claim 2 wherein each means for changing bilevelstate is a feedback shift register and each decoding means comprisesseven output drivers arranged to decode the six states of the registerconnected thereto into four display conditions taken singly or incombination to cause the display means connected thereto to sequentiallyreflect the prevailing states in said register, each display meanscomprises seven low voltage lamps, the arrangement of said outputdrivers being as follows: a. the first, second, fourth and fifth driversare individually electrically connected to four separate outputterminals of said register, b. the third and sixth drivers areelectrically connected in common to a fifth output terminal of saidregister, c. the output of said first driver is electrically connectedto a first lamp, d. the outputs of said second and third drivers areelectrically connected in common to second and third lamps arranged inparallel, e. the output of said fourth driver is electrically connectedto a fourth and fifth lamp arranged in parallel and f. the fifth, sixthand seventh drivers are interconnected with the outputs of said fifthand sixth drivers being applied in common to said seventh driver, theoutput of said seventh driver being electrically connected to the sixthand seventh lamps arranged in parallel.
 4. The simulated dice game asrecited in claim 1 wherein the means for actuation of the oscillatorscomprises switches for separately actuating either oscillator and aswitch for simultaneously actuating both oscillators.